Mekong Delta forecast to have small floods this year
The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta will not have early or intense flooding in its upper parts this year because of the low water level in the Mekong River, according to the National Centre of Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting.
The river’s low level is due to the lack of rainfall this year.
However, the construction of dams in the Mekong River’s upstream in other countries poses an increased risk of a rapid rise in water levels in the delta when there are heavy rains and the dams release large quantities of water, the centre said.
The annual flooding in the delta, caused by the rising levels in the Mekong River during the rainy season, could peak at warning level 1 or 2 this year, lower than in many years, it said.
Besides, in June and July the water level in the upper areas of the delta was 10-20cm lower than in many years.
The low water levels in the Mekong and its tributaries this year will cause severe drought and saline intrusion in the delta during the next dry season, according to experts.
